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Sermon Archive

Gratitude Anyway – Thanksgiving sermon from 2015

Dear friends, Since I did not preach this past Sunday for our joint service of seven UU congregations, I wanted to share an old Thanksgiving sermon from 2015.  I’ve been thinking about it a long lately, as it feels especially relevant during these times.  I hope you...

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Light from the Broken Pieces – Nov 15

Light from the Broken Pieces Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church November 15, 2020 In the aftermath of this most difficult presidential election, I have thought a great deal about what is happening here in the United States.  We are so divided, and like so...

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The Soul of the Nation – Nov 8

The Soul of the Nation Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church November 8, 2020 In the end, I would say that it was worth the wait, this week, as the anticipated blue wave proved to be more of a blue trickle.  Yesterday afternoon, as word spread that Joe Biden and...

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Side by Side: Holding Grief and Hope – Nov 1

Side by Side: Holding Grief and Hope Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church November 1, 2020   Tomorrow is the Feast of All Souls, that day each year when people remember and mourn the deaths of loved ones everywhere.  We typically commemorate All Souls, at least...

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CLUES – Oct 25

CLUES        Oct 25, 2020 Newt Fink Now we are here to think about giving.  Giving has always been central to worship: we naturally give to what or whom we regard as worthy of our attention, our following and our faithfulness.  We give to and for what matters to us. ...

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In Another’s Shoes – Oct 18

In Another’s Shoes Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church October 18, 2020 Let’s begin this morning by digging into our memories.  Some of us may have to think hard, to dig deeply.  Others of us may have a fresh memory right on the surface. ...

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We Begin Again in Love – Sep 27

Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church September 27, 2020 Louis Newman refers to himself as having been a model child.  We all know some of those – perhaps we were one of them.  The child who seems naturally well-behaved, who doesn’t get into...

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Whole, Broken, and Then Whole Again – Sep 20

Whole, Broken, and Then Whole Again © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church September 20, 2020 First Reflection:  Born and Reborn Again The lyrics of one of the songs in our turquoise hymnal keep going through my mind these days:  “Return...

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Blessing of the Animals – Aug 30

Reverend Janet Parsons August 30, 2020 Reflection           I’ve had some odd encounters with animals in the past few months, but the oddest of all was while camping a couple of weeks ago.  We were sitting at the...

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On Racial Justice Part 2 – August 23

On Racial Justice, Pt. 2 WE HAVE THE POWER TO BEGIN THE WORLD OVER AGAIN By Carol Bousquet, August 23, 2020 I believe we are finally at THE day of reckoning. Finally we have conditions and consciousness to change the course of history in the ways our African American,...

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A Celebration and Appreciation of Gardens -Aug 2

A Celebration and Appreciation of Gardens by Lucille LePage         words delivered on August 2, 2020 at Gloucester UU Church online Sunday service   Before we begin our celebration of gardens, I should explain that I’m defining gardens a bit broadly this morning.  Of...

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Children of the Light – June 21

Children of the Light © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church June 21, 2020 Imagine, for a moment, having nowhere that you could get together with friends, or to meet people, that was legal. Imagine, for a moment, not being welcome anywhere, or even allowed to...

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Upcoming Services

Potluck, led by Reverend Janet Parsons, with Steve Lacey, guest musician, and the GUUC choir. How can the United States live in a truly inclusive society? We will welcome Rav Naomi Gurt Lind from Temple Ahavat Achim.

Our service is in-person, or at the livestream link below. Everyone is welcome!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeJfO72kLh-gAtZZT-QOng/live

Kiana will be providing childcare for elementary-age and older.

Recent News

Thinking Too Much and Listening Too Little

Thinking Too Much and Listening Too Little © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church October 13, 2024 How many of you got to see the Northern Lights the other night? I found it as thrilling as it was back in May when I got to see them for the very first time in my...

Sunday, October 20

Seeking the Bell Stand Within, led by Reverend Janet Parsons, with music by Steve Lacey. Thomas Merton once wrote, "there is in all things...a hidden wholeness." But how do we hear that in times of great turmoil and stress? Please join us at 10am in-person or at the...

Thinking Too Much and Listening Too Little

Thinking Too Much and Listening Too Little, led by Reverend Janet Parsons with music by Sanae Kanda. Our theme for October is Deep Listening. As we prepare to honor Indigenous Peoples this weekend, we will consider the indigenous practice of listening to the natural...